Hold On To Me by Jules Bennett

Hold On to Me by Jules Bennett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


4 ½ stars for this return to Haven. Jade and Cash have no idea how to be near each other without butting heads. They see each other and just have to argue, banter or leer. Neither wants to accept the fact that they are wildly attracted to the other. When Jade needs Cash to fly her to a family wedding she has to put aside whatever feelings she has for him temporarily. They agree to disagree and deal with close quarters in the plane, oh well until that emergency landing.

Jade has been trying to live up to some dream of a perfect daughter her mother has for her. Nothing she does is ever good enough for her adopted mother. Oh yea, she was adopted which didn’t help the situation at all. Now she is on her way to this disastrous wedding, which has her wearing an orange gown (clash city with her flame red hair) and down a date since her boyfriend decided he was interested in someone else now. Having to be in such close proximity with the uber sexy Vincent “Cash” Miller has her ready to explode.

Cash has been harboring his crush for Jade McKenzie for a while now. She was a little older than him back in school and then she left town for a while. They get on about as well as oil and water but he loves to verbally spar with her. It gets his blood flowing. Having to fly her to this wedding from hell sounds just up his alley. And finding out she needs a date is icing on the cake. They agree to put on a ruse to fool her family, and shock them a little (he isn’t a country club poster boy by any means). And it works, a little too well.

Cash and Jade seem opposite on the outside but inside they couldn’t be more perfect for each other. They have deeper feelings than they’d ever admit to and keep themselves closed off to keep their hearts safe. Can they find a way to navigate this new normal within the close group of friends?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. I love getting to catch up with the Haven crew. Not sure if another book is coming down the pipeline but I can’t wait to see who’s story is up next.





View all my reviews

Second Time Around by Rebecca Norinne

Second Time Around by Rebecca Norinne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


How many of us see our first lost loves and wonder what if? What if life gave you a second chance. Maybe not a do over but a chance to get answers like “What happened” or just “Why”. Kacey and Tucker have this second chance, it hasn’t been an easy road to get there but now is their chance.

About 10 years ago Tucker broke Kacey’s heart and promptly left town. The forever and ever she’d imagined went up in a puff of smoke. She has always carried a touch for her ex, even when a boyfriend proposed he noticed she was still pining for Tucker. She doesn’t know if she is still in love with him or just holding on to the past. Trying to figure out exactly what made their happily ever after explode.

Tucker ran, ran like a punk and he knows it. He was 18 years old and what could he do, he’d never be good enough for a girl like Kacey. But that’s only half the truth, the other half very few people including Kacey, knows. He came back to town after his father died and knows he will run into her now and then. Can they just be friends after all this time?

I’ve read some other reviews regarding this book and was honestly quite surprised. While not the adult romance we are used to reading from the author I guess, this lends a little more toward the YA side of romance even though the main characters are pushing 30. That being said, I thought this story was very sweet and very much something any one of us could have gone through.

Teenage brains work differently than adult brains but sometimes an event that happened to us as teenagers will shape how we respond to certain stimuli in our later years. This isn’t some grand love story, or maybe it is but in much simpler terms. The epic grandiose romance novels we’re used to with great depths of tragedy and angst, is not this read. It is something I think more people can relate to overall than not. Simple, real, love, with a bit of old feelings thrown in.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. The author has my attention with her writing and I will continue to grab her novels as they are written. I’m intrigued with Rocky Cove and loved the cameo of Miranda and Hank from The Worst Man in Second Time Around. 3 ¾ stars for this read.




View all my reviews

New Facebook Page

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for continuing to support my love of reading.  Those of you who I'm not friends with on Facebook might not know this but I recently started my own review page there as well.  It does link back to this blog as well so you won't miss a thing.

Head to www.facebook.com/goodcarmareads and click the like and share buttons if you will. 

See you soon!!!!

 

The Aussie Next Door by Stefanie London

The Aussie Next Door by Stefanie London

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Angie is an American who hightailed it to Australia to escape her notoriety back home. Not the good kind either, she is like a celebrity without celebrity status. No one can know her true identity because she pleasant little life will self-destruct. She finds herself a quaint little cottage to rent off a super hot, if not very serious, landlord and she is set. Well that is until her visa is set to expire and she is out of extensions. Well there is just one left, get married in less than 60 days.

Jace loves routine, his body craves it actually, he has ever minute of every day planned out in advance. He was diagnosed as high functioning autistic spectrum when he was younger and routine helps keep his mind in order. You could never tell by just looking at him on the outside but his inside gets all jumbled up during even the simplest things. He has a hard time with facial expressions, knowing when to keep a conversation going, and forget about sarcasm, it goes right over his head. When a friend of his mother’s asks him, well bamboozles, him into dog sitting her 2 dogs his nice calm life just went out the window. Factor in Angie’s hair brained scheme to find a husband in 60 days and he just may explode.

Angie wants the fairy tale, to fall in love with someone and build a future and a family. Family is something that she never had growing up. She lives in a world of hope and smiles and happiness, even as your heart is breaking you put on a smile. She hopes to convince Jace that he wants that too, but his feelings are the complete opposite of hers. She wonders why he feels so strongly against marriage?

Jace and Angie traverse life in Australia with all its confusion and happiness front and center. Although first appearing extremely different, the more I read the more similar they became. Each with their own set of idiosyncrasies and quarks that make them more relatable to the audience. Having a family member on the autism spectrum made this book even more special as he now can have a voice out there like his.

I am an uber fan of Ms London and will continue to devour her novels as quickly as she writes them. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. I enjoyed hearing more about Ms. London’s homeland of Australia, Angie threw in quite a few “sayings and slang” to enjoy. 4 ½ stars for this ripper of a book, Good on Ya Stefanie.

View all my reviews

Between Me and You by Kimberly Kincaid

Between Me & You by Kimberly Kincaid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Connor, Connor my sweet, hunky, romance book loving, nurse fantasy from the first 2 Remington Medical books. I have waited patiently for you to get your own book and o’wee was it worth the wait. Steamier than the broccoli in my diet dinner.

Connor, the ruggedly handsome built like a tree truck, nurse we’ve come to know in both previous novels gets his how do you do in Between You and Me (Book 3 in the series). His main squeeze is Harlow, daughter of a businessman and hospital board member at Remington Memorial. 2 more different folks could not exist in the same air space, or are they so different after all.

Connor has loved being a nurse, joining Remington Memorial after leaving the military he has found his calling for sure. He loves helping people and no better way than being on the front lines, per say, as someone comes into the ED with an injury. When the higher ups offer him a management position running the hospital’s clinic, he feels this is where he needs to be to help even more people. But accepting that position means co-directorship with Harlow.

Harlow didn’t want this co-director position, in fact she had her sights set multiple other places and is unsure why her father placed her here. Yes the clinic is named after her deceased mother, and yes she wants to see it succeed but this really isn’t her field of expertise. Plus, accepting this position means dealing with Connor as co-director all day. Her brain thinks she can do it, but can her libido stay quiet.

Harlow and Connor look very different on paper, but once you start peeling back those layers you realize they are more alike than either could have ever imagined. Moving past a huge misunderstanding and into a work relationship that will save the clinic, they find they have a ton in common and work to build that relationship. Will an intense moment ruin their newfound friendship?

I don’t want to say too much and ruin this book but oooooh mama, the storyline went in a direction I never anticipated but it was soooo good. It was nice seeing Harlow shed some of the formal layers she has been presented with in past books. Connor is sexy as always, but also kind, compassionate and determined. And psst Tess’s book is next and Oh My Word it is shaping up to be a dooooozy. I knew who her hero would be and (squeal) I can’t wait to see the words on paper. Bahhhhhh grab your copy now and dive in to Remington life and if you haven’t read the first two in the series get them too!!!!




View all my reviews

Author Signing Events, a new go to for me

I have only started attending author signing events in the last couple years.  I was lucky enough to get a ticket for Lori Foster's RAGT held outside Cincinnati last year.  I set out, by myself {gasp} 4 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh to attend my very first event.  RAGT which stands for Reader Author Get Together, is mostly traditionally published authors participating, over 3 days, in signing events, boardroom shenanigans, meal hosting events and more. 

It was AMAZING!!  Yes I drove alone to the event but I was never alone while I attended.  You meet up with all types of folks from all over the US and beyond and bond over a love of books.  Someone who loves to read as much as I do, will rarely get that opportunity.  I made friends I hope to keep forever.

Then later in the year I attended Authors in the Steel City outside Pittsburgh in September of 2018.  That was a brand new event and it was INCREDIBLE too.  Leaning more on the Indie author side of things, it opened my eyes to dozens of new authors to add to my TBR shelf.  This event had authors, cover models, vendors and raffles.  Pretty much all you could think of relating to books and fun.  

In 2019 I was again lucky enough to gain a ticket to RAGT and drove again to see all my favorites.  This year there were less authors attending that I knew and/or read but the experience was no less fantastic.  That is the awesome thing about these events, you learn and grow and find new people to one-click.  I can't express the happiness I get attending RAGT and hope to continue to be lucky enough to get in during registration to buy a ticket.

Authors in the Steel City is again returning to Cranberry PA on Sept 6 and 7 2019 and I will once again be there to revel in the excitement.  There are over 50 authors, about a dozen cover models and vendors galore scheduled to attend and I CAN'T WAIT.  

The best part is right now tickets for AITSC are 75% off.  WHATTTTTTTT

Get your tickets, go run, buy!!!!

The website is bit.ly/2Ti8sOPsteelcity
Ticket link is https://2ndannualaitsc.eventbrite.com 
Or join the Facebook group where authors have set up preorder links: https://facebook.com/groups/626611554213375/?ref=share

Believe me when I tell you, you won't regret it.

For more information on Lori Foster's RAGT visit  readerauthorgettogether.com

Beauty and the Bayou by Erin Nicholas

Beauty and the Bayou by Erin Nicholas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“A fantasy he didn’t even know he had.”

Sawyer is a wounded soul as of late. Losing your best friend can do that to you. He’s lost, angry and tired of everyone acting recklessly around the bayou. There are dangers everywhere and he needs to make sure everyone knows it. Unfortunately that has gotten his tours the new nickname of doom and gloom. Now he finds himself staring at the nicest behind he’s seen as of late hanging off the edge of his busted dock.

Juliet has had a rough time in her life, being extra cautious and organizing every aspect of her life has brought her peace in the turmoil. Being in Autre to help her bonehead brother rebuild the dock he damaged is the last place she wanted to be, but she refuses to let Chase grow up to be like his over privileged older brothers. He needs to learn responsibility and after meeting with the partners of Boys of the Bayou, she knows this is the way.

Juliet is trying to find out if she has enough materials to rebuild the Boys of the Bayou dock after her brother stole an airboat and slammed off the dock. She drops her phone into the mud after getting scared by the husky voice behind her and promptly loses her balance on the dock. Getting hauled up by her shorts has her both frightened and aroused. Especially when she gets a good look at her savior.

Sawyer and Juliet could not be more perfect for one another. Sawyer is always looking for the safe way for every minute of every day. His family is used to him now and just rolls their eyes. When he lays eyes on Juliet, in her neon safety vest and hip waders, he thinks he may have met his ideal woman.

I have been drawn to Sawyer since he first appeared way back when and was dying to know his story. Once again and as always, I was not disappointed in the least. This story of two people who are cautious beyond belief and yet free in each other’s arms had me on quite a ride. I felt like I was right along side these two as they come out of their shells and realize they can be themselves with each other, maybe in a more muted fashion per say, but still true to self.

5 out of 5 stars for this return to the bayou. Sawyer is a man with many faults, but he owns them and works at them. Juliet is the way life has made her, but she knows each time she falls down, she will get back up again. This story has all the feels and more.





View all my reviews

Anyone but Rich by Penelope Bloom

Anyone But Rich by Penelope Bloom

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kira has made a vow with her 2 best friends. Never, ever get involved with a King boy. Rich, Cade and Nick have single handedly ruined their collective lives, well as much as a teenager’s life can be ruined. They vow to never give those boys their attention again, ever. Which is easy to do since the boys hightailed it out of town to the left coast after graduation to make themselves billionaires.

Rich King is returning to his hometown on the East Coast knowing he will have to eat some crow sooner rather than later. He has one person in mind that he knows he will have the hardest time with. He is hopeful that Kira will forgive him but you never know. Heading back with Stella (his fake girlfriend) on his arm gives him strength to face not only Kira but his parents and their overbearing ideals.

Kira just wants to get through her first day of teaching, conveniently at her old high school. Once Rich King was done making a fool of her and ruining any chance she had a bettering her station, this was what she could obtain. She is determined that life will not win this time. Determined that is until her classroom door opens and in walks Rich King.

Kira used to have no problem telling twins Rich and Cade apart but now that they’ve been gone from town all these years, it gets a little more complicated. Cade she liked, he was no nonsense, more relaxed and she actually dated him briefly. Albeit while trying to make Rich jealous but that’s beside the point. Rich and Kira have a lot to work out from both their past and their present. But each is hoping they can use this opportunity to have a fresh start. Maybe once they get past a few things though.

A good first book to start off this 3 book (I’m assuming) about 3 brothers and the girls they left behind. I enjoyed the push pull that Kira and Rich experienced both in the past and what can be their future. I’m excited to see how the friendship dynamic changes in the other 2 couples interactions. Solid 5 stars for this book I voluntarily read and reviewed.






View all my reviews

Lone Wolf Cowboy by Maisey Yates

Lone Wolf Cowboy by Maisey Yates

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“We’re all different kinds of messed up, Jacob. I guess it’s not really my place to comment on your particular brand of it.”

Vanessa has been an interest of mine since reading her sister Olivia’s story. I was wondering if she would get a book of her own and how Maisey would spin it. Knowing she had some addiction problems, and that can be a touchy subject, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever read her back-story. Well here she is and it is a great story.

Vanessa left town in a cloud of disappointment and addiction 10 years ago. Her family and friends were toxic for her and she just needed to disappear. Yes she could’ve let them know she wasn’t dead by the side of the road but they fueled her desires in a negative way. She needed to get herself sober, stronger and stable before even considering any type of relationship with the Logan’s. Being 5 years sober now, she accepts a job back in Gold Valley, the place it all went wrong.

Jacob Dalton is depressed, lonely and possibly on the road to becoming an alcoholic. He is fighting guilt through ghosts of the past and can’t seem to get himself back into the land of the living. He spends his days held up in his cabin high in the hills and on the edge of the land. To escape, to punish himself, to find strength, he doesn’t know why he feels the need to remove himself from society. As much as he doesn’t want to be anyone’s hero, situations keep finding him smack dab in that exact position.

Jacob and Vanessa share a history only the two of them know. He was there for her, years ago at her lowest point. He held her fate in his hands and he wouldn’t let go, he is the face she sees when she needs to draw strength in her life. Meeting him unexpectedly again, all these years later, has her wondering if he remembers her as well.

Vanessa starts work at the Dalton ranch in the new youth center they’ve built. She is teaching art therapy classes, as that is the thing that saved her during rehab. She feels a kinship with these kids and thinks she can reach them. Jacob also feels a kinship in how not to behave. He has the same attitude these kids do and can relate to the anger they feel at the world.

Vanessa and Jacob are drawn to each other, neither can control it, and the more they fight it the more powerful it becomes. There is a thin line between love and hate and when their emotions take over, passion erupts. Keeping a lid on that passion proves easier said than done and it takes strong willpower to keep away from each other. When an unexpected hiccup takes the wheel, they work together to be a team as best as they know how. But will it be enough?

I’ve read some reviews where people have said this is too dark for a Maisey Yates book, too much, too everything. But addiction, depression and guilt is too dark, too much, too everything. Addicts have different vantage points than the people they leave behind. More inner reflection, more pain associated with past events and personalities. I felt Vanessa’s handling of her family was right in line with my personal experiences with addiction and alcoholism. It isn’t light, it isn’t pretty, it’s heavy, it’s deep and it’s depressing. These sides of our culture need brought to light to not only show the bad side of addiction, overdoses etc but also the hope. Recovery and rehabilitation is a real thing. People can pick themselves up and refocus and succeed. Depression too is debilitating but can be overcome. Jacob has survivors guilt for both of his best friends, knowing honestly he couldn’t have changed the outcome but feeling no less guilty living a life of what-if’s. How many of us live the what-if life daily?

The quote I started this review off with was one of my favorites in the book. Vanessa realizes they are both screwed up, not one more than the other. But acknowledging this between them gives them strength to know they aren’t alone in it. Together they can weather any storm and come out the other side stronger, together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy and once again, Ms Yates gets right into the nitty gritty with life and all her ups and downs. While this 5 star read was on the darker side, it wasn’t unnecessarily dark or depressing. It fits the story, it fits the characters and I’m thankful she wrote these characters for us to experience.




View all my reviews

Tempting the Bluestocking by Victoria Vale

Tempting the Bluestocking by Victoria Vale

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Tempting the Bluestocking is the prequel novella of sorts, to the Gentlemen Courtesans series. If you read the first book released in the series, Portrait of a Lady, you will remember the men referring to Edward and how he defected the club. This is his story.

Edward realizes his father left quite the estate at his passing, quite the estate of disarray and bad business decisions that is. He needs money and he needs it now if he has any shot of maintaining the family business. When his friend Hugh informs him of a new venture he’s intrigued and gives it a go. How hard could it be to keep the company of a beautiful woman? He could do that with his eyes closed. But after laying his eyes on Claire, how can he resist her?

Claire is an old spinster, well at least by the standards of the ton. She has had some experiences but they were so very horrible that she never wanted to try it again. Now, on her birthday, her aunt has given her an unexpected gift. A man. And not just any man, a courtesan to fulfill her every wish and desire, how on earth will she be able to look him in the eye? Will she accept her aunts gift or send him packing into the streets?

This novella is a good look into the start of the Gentleman Courtesans series and it goes give some back story, as I said, to Edward and all he is referenced to in the first full length novel. I’m enjoying this twist on a “standard” love story very much and look forward to the rest of the men getting their moment in the spotlight. A very respectable 4 star read that I voluntarily read and reviewed without expectations.




View all my reviews

Wrapped up in You by Jill Shalvis

Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ivy is the owner of the famous Taco Truck in town, and she deserves every little bit of praise and glory she can receive. She hasn’t had the best life, and that is quite the understatement. Ivy and her brother were orphaned pretty early and sent to live with a relative. That aunt doted on them, especially Ivy, until she got sick and passed away, leaving them alone in the world once again. They did what they had to do to survive, though Ivy went more along the legal route than her brother did. She finally feels like she has a home in San Francisco (pun intended) and wants to put down roots. Even though she has gained a great little circle of friends, she still doesn’t feel comfortable enough to be herself. Yet.

Kel has been burned by too many people in his life, some friendly some not so friendly, so he’s built up a wall. He avoids his sister because of their mother and that has kept him away from his hometown for far too long. Being back home now after being placed on administrative leave has him wondering if it’s time to return to his roots? He’s not sure he can ever forgive his mother, or what she did, but maybe he can warm to the idea. At least that way he’d get to see his little niece more than he does now. He doesn’t count on much in life and he certainly never counted on meeting Ivy.

Ivy isn’t sure why she isn’t nervous around Kel, he’s the law after all. He doesn’t make her hair stand on end like it does when she senses trouble. Yep she has her own built in spidey-sense. She is comfortable with him, maybe a little too comfortable for her own good. He starts getting close, getting under her self imposed wall and she isn’t sure how she feels about that.

Kel and Ivy grow closer though both are still holding back and keeping themselves guarded with each other. Old habits die hard, or so they say. When Kel proves himself to Ivy will she finally realize she can trust him 100 percent?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this latest Heartbreaker Bay stop over. I loved catching up with past characters and seeing where they are now in life’s journeys. Another solid read for me, but with this author, I’m hard pressed to find a dud.




View all my reviews

Montana Seduction by Jules Bennett

Montana Seduction by Jules Bennett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Montanta Seduction is the first book in a new duet by Jules Bennett and it is a solid 4 ½ star read for me. It features Dane and Ethan, twin brothers who lost their mother and then lost their mothers business to their stepfather. It’s been 20 years but now the boys have the business and stepfather in their sights to reclaim what was theirs.

Dane travels to Mirage resort while Ethan travels to Sunset Cove. Each brother with a set mission in place to do whatever it takes, to get back his mother’s business. Dane doesn’t count on meeting Stella though, and that could be a make or break situation.

Stella wants to own Mirage free and clear and her father has given her 6 months to turn the business around. After some extremely poor previous management (that he hired no less), she is finally seeing her dream become a reality. Her gut is telling her though that it will never be enough. She wasn’t born a boy and an heir is all her father every wanted. Her mother died during childbirth so her father blames her more or less for just about everything.

Dane and Stella have a pretty instantaneous connection that is full of heat, passion and secrets. Even as Dane tells Stella he wants to buy the resort, she can’t get enough. Will she ever be able to trust him? Can she give up her dream for their connection?

Dane finds a new will inside himself to not only make his stepfather pay and to carry on his mothers dream. But finds a new dream that includes Stella and all she has come to represent. His new obstacle is finding a way to convince her to give their relationship a chance.

Stella is hurt when she finds out who Dane really is and what he was trying to accomplish. She is tired of being lied to and told it’s all about the bottom dollar. She wants Mirage and have the dream she has pictured in her mind all these months. But does that dream now include Dane?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. All opinions expressed are my own. This book is a great start to this duet and I can’t wait to see how bachelor Ethan loses his focus momentarily, in the quest to take down their stepfather and save their mother’s dream.




View all my reviews

How to Wake a Sleeping Lady by Bree Wolf

How to Wake a Sleeping Lady by Bree Wolf

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Agnes Bottombrook, goodness her name was dreadful. She was at yet another ball where people whispered about the poor old spinster standing in the corner. She was only 29 but her “good” years were apparently behind her. When a handsome, younger, noble man stole a glance her direction, she thought for sure he was partaking in a wager of some sort. Why on earth would someone so young and titled, be interested in her?

Grant felt an immediate connection to his “Nessa”, as he came to call Agnes. She just wouldn’t believe him. After proposing more than a dozen times she finally accepted and they started a new life together. Their family started to grow but 4 years ago it drastically changed. Then 1 year later it was forever altered by Nessa’s death. If it wasn’t for their daughter Milly, he would follow his beloved Nessa to the grave.

“Martha” has no memory of how she ended up at the Abbey 3 years ago now, and no one has every so much as recognized her. Maybe she has no family to speak of and will be on her own from now on. One day a man stops by on his way through and looks at her like he’s seen a ghost. He will send word back to a man whose wife went missing to see if she is that woman.

Grant’s father in law has never given up hope that Nessa is alive and well out in the world somewhere. Though why she wouldn’t come home, if she was, is a mystery to all who knew her. Upon seeing his presumed dead wife again, Grant will never let her go again. The only problem being, his new wife and what to do about her?

Grant and Nessa embark on a second chance love affair, where together they forge new memories while trying to draw her previous memories out. If not for his ignorant mother, who never thought Nessa was worthy of this love, theirs would be a perfect life. When Nessa finds out about Grant’s second wife, she wants to meet the woman who stole her husbands heart. Only to find out that he never lost his heart to her at all. But Nessa is happy to know that her new station in life is bringing her happiness, albeit slowly.

Nessa’s memories return with a vengeance during an unplanned stop on their travels back home. She now knows who was responsible for her accident and can’t believe it. Telling Grant and confronting the party together is how they have handled their relationship in the past. It strengthens their bond once more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. Once again, the author takes me on a whimsical journey in a time and place not unlike the current but with the fantasy air of days gone by. I love delving back into time to get a feel for how lives were led and affected in past centuries and countries. 4 ½ stars for my latest read.





View all my reviews

Heart Thief by PJ Fiala

Heart Thief, Bluegrass Security Book One by P.J. Fiala

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


4 ½ solid stars for this first book in a new series, Bluegrass Security. Levi and Sage are both ex military at different points of their lives. Sage has had to start over after spending all her savings on caring for her ailing father, then paying off his debts upon his death. She agrees to take a 2 week job, sight unseen, to try and start building her nest egg again to open her own security company.

Levi has been hiding out in Sapphire Falls, Nebraska after his wife divorced him to marry his best friend while he was overseas. Taking an IED while deployed pretty much solidified his never being normal again. His body aches every day and he can’t get around as well as he once could. He is happy to have a new guy starting at his security firm for the next 2 weeks. Hmm maybe he shouldn’t have assumed Sage was a man.

Sage and Levi start off on the wrong foot but quickly realize they have a mutual attraction to one another. Sage isn’t looking for a relationship and neither is Levi, he is still living in the past. When thefts start occurring in their small town, the company is called upon to investigate and set up security cameras to try and catch the thief. Will they be able to work together effectively or will their attraction make things awkward?

When Dirks and Sam head into town as well, things start to get interesting. Dirks and Sage have history as do Sam and Levi. But it’s the former that has Levi’s emotions all up in arms. He can’t be falling for Sage, can he?

This is my first read by the author, though I have quite a few on all my TBR lists. Apparently this is a book that was previously published with the title “We’re going to make it” as part of the Sapphire Falls Universe series. I’m not sure if this was a publishing issue, looks to have been part of the kindle world era, or what. That being said I never read the previous so it was new and fresh to my eyes. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. Overall, I loved the story line and can’t wait to read more about this new fabulous foursome and all their shenanigans. I’m hoping Chuck made the move with them from Sapphire Falls to make that a fivesome, I believe the description coming in the blurb from Sam’s book describes him so fingers crossed.






View all my reviews

The Tip-Off by Rebecca Jenshak

The Tip-Off by Rebecca Jenshak

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ah Zeke, I have been waiting and waiting for your story and man were you worth the wait. This quiet, strong, commanding man who has been in the background of the first 2 stories in the series, makes his debut in bold fashion. Taking his story and running it to its full potential hitting all the mystery and backstory we were looking for from him.

Zeke aka Z, is a good friend to you if you’re lucky enough to get on his good side. He is loyal, forgiving, noble and more. Living in the “white house” with his basketball family has been everything he’s looked for and needed. And now with the NBA draft looming he has to stay focused. Too bad the best bud to his best bud’s girl is causing all kinds of distractions in his life. Gabby is incredible and she doesn’t even know it. She can be all sorts of dangerous in his life, if he lets her in.

Gabby loves living the college life so far. After her accident she never imagined she could rejoin society and flourish like she has been so far. Being with Blair and all her friends definitely makes it easier but she is trying to come out of her shell. She has made herself a bucket list of things to do before she starts her senior year of college. She wants to feel like a normal college student vs someone that has navigated college courses online while they hid from the world in their childhood bedroom.

Zeke notices Gabby from their first interaction, and it isn’t because of the scars she tries desperately to hide from everyone. She is vivacious, commanding, confident and of course beautiful. He finds himself drawn to her but being awkward himself he doesn’t know quite what else to do. When his friends decide to throw a prom for Gabby and Katrina, who didn’t get to go to their own proms, he goes as Gabby’s date. He does it as a favor but finds he isn’t having a bad time.

Gabby isn’t ready for anyone’s pity, let alone from the hottest guy on the basketball team. She is supremely attracted to Zeke but he isn’t giving her any signs past the friend zone. She decides to make the best of her time with the guys and hangs out with Zeke and Nathan while the rest of the gang is on vacation. She and Zeke grow closer but she doesn’t think anything will bump her out of the friend zone she seems to be stuck in.

Gabby and Zeke make a perfect couple in that she has hidden from the world in her room and he has hidden in plain sight for years. Gabby brings herself back into the world in grand fashion but she hides herself still by being boisterous and going into scenarios that might not be the best choice. Zeke hides by not engaging with people as much as he should but he stays focused on his dreams thinking he can’t have both in his life without sacrifice.

Together they navigate this new normal where they come out of their shells together and pull strength from each other. The way they relate to their lives and lives together by making new music play lists is a sweet way to relate to each other. While it took me a little to get used to Zeke having such a “voice”, since he was so quiet and in the background so far, I loved his story, history and future.

The Tip Off is the 3rd book in the Smart Jocks series and it has been a great ride so far. Looking forward to more stories coming from the group, and to catch up on previous couples (maybe a wedding or 4 hint hint). One of my favorite lines is " smells like sweaty balls and sadness" I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectation. 5 stars for the latest entry in Valley basketball world, Zeke and Gabby left me with all the feels, as I knew they would.



View all my reviews

Running after a Heartbreaker by Jami Albright

Running After a Heartbreaker by Jami Albright

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Beau, Beau, Beau, where have you been all my life. This man with his down home drawl, he had me at his first words. Picturing him in my mind’s eye had me wanting to move down south where men will darlin’ me to death.

Hailey is getting married, no wait she isn’t anymore. Hailey has wanted to do nothing more than keep the promise she made to her dying mother that she would keep her bar, scratch that, beer garden open and thriving. Well she got the open part right, the thriving not so much. Fighting tooth and nail at every stop has Hailey questioning her sanity. When she decides to marry her boyfriend she feels she is doing right for herself and for her daughter. Love will come later right, that’s how these things work. When she sees Roger speaking to her father, who also can’t be bothered with the bar legacy she has happening, her spidey sense activates. Bride walks into a bar, bride walks out.

Beau heads off on a quick tour knowing he will have a safe, temporary place to lay his head when he returns. Hailey is letting him rent her house since she is getting married, fully furnished too, since no other place in town would let him keep his dog. When he gets back home he finds a roommate he didn’t expect but one he wouldn’t toss to the curb.

Hailey and Beau don’t deny their attraction to one another, but both vow that nothing good could come from them letting go of their inhibitions. She doesn’t want to be part of his buckle brigade and he isn’t a relationship kinda guy, especially when said relationship comes with a ready made family. As much as they fight it though, the universe ups the ante.

This is my first read by the author and I am an instant fan. Watching Hailey realize she isn’t as happy as she thinks she is was eye opening not only in the course of the book but seeing some reflections in my own life. Letting the town push her around for far too long had me cheering her on. I rated it 4 ½ stars because I felt there was a little too much back and forth when it came to her confidence and jumping to conclusions. Otherwise well done, and I’ve already downloaded the other 3 books to catch up on the secondary characters and how they arrived to their present. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy without expectations. Great first read for the new to me author.




View all my reviews

Faking It by Stefanie London

Faking It by Stefanie London

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Hannah and Owen are former classmates now forced to work together on an investigation. Hannah basically propositioned Owen many years ago, right before he left the country in a hurry. He has been in NYC while she remained home in Australia, working her way up in the ranks toward her dream. She is appointed lead investigator in an undercover operation to find jewel thieves and can’t wait to get started. Until she learns who her partner will be.

Owen ran away from home, quite literally, years ago. He is nothing but bad news all the way around. Losing his parents early and living with his grandmother, he could’ve just stayed around town. But he felt like he needed to distance himself from the world and no better way to do that then head halfway across it. Now back in town and working with his old agency, he’s not sure he should’ve come back. But seeing Hannah again quickly places doubt.

Hannah and Owen need to pose as a married couple, with money, connections and most importantly jewels, to draw out the perpetrators. All fine and good but their underlying attraction is making it really difficult to stay focused. Maybe if they got it out of their systems, they could focus again on the task at hand? Not likely, with the amount of spark and steam coming from them, they’ll only cause an increase in wanting.

I am a fan of the author through and through and this storyline doesn’t disappoint. I love the whole deep-seated attraction that these 2 characters are fighting with the entire book. For Owen to get out of his own way and finally figure out he can have it all, was a wonderful process to read. Ms. London has a great way of weaving characters through their emotions so seamlessly; they don’t even know they’ve been “healed”. Another solid 4 ½ star read for an advance copy that I voluntarily read and reviewed without expectations.




View all my reviews

Portrait of a Lady

Portrait of a Lady by Victoria Vale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an interesting read for me in that I love period pieces especially from England, Scotland and oh those uber sexy Highlanders. But, this novel is written almost from the male perspective of things, as the main male character is an escort of sorts.

Evelyn refuses to die a spinster, not that she is close to death but man alive it feels more and more like it every day. She learns of an agency that helps “pair” women with men that will take care of their any need. She decides to pursue this avenue and cross one thing off her list, losing her virginity.

Hugh is an artist that is just hoping to make it into the Summer Exhibition with one of his paintings. He has come so close every year but he feels like this is final his shot. When another opportunity arises to “care” for another woman, he accepts but feels like this will be his last customer. He couldn’t imagine just how right he was.

Evelyn and Hugh have a wonderful connection and he is super sweet and patient while tending to her every want and need. They find themselves moving further and further away from a client relationship and into a romantic relationship. Neither wanting to think the other would want that, refusing to see what is right before their eyes.

Both Evelyn and Hugh have somewhat strained family relationships, though Hugh wins that by a mile. His father disowned him upon hearing he wanted to study art. His siblings have little choice but to go along with their father’s wishes and cut Hugh out of their lives. Evelyn has reached her maturity unmarried so she has received her inheritance and the family doesn’t quite understand her desire to remain single. Once the word is out though, that she is dating Hugh, her mother and sister reappear.

A great new perspective putting the man in the position of escort, not one story normally told. I got a new understanding of some of the workings of the era (whether an actual truth or not, my mind’s eye could appreciate it). Seeing Hugh and Evelyn struggle to live their true lives was one I could relate to, and seeing them not recognizing what is right in front of them also rang true. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy without expectation. 4 ½ stars for my first read.




View all my reviews

Snow and Mistletoe

Snow and Mistletoe by Rie Anders

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cat has had one hell of a bad week. First she is let go from her graphic designer job days before Christmas. But she can take solace in getting away from it all for a few days on a ski vacation with her long time boyfriend. Nope, that Dear Jane letter squashes that dream really quickly. She heads out on the town and promptly pushes her pathetic life into a new low. With no options and wanting desperately to be out of town for the holidays to spare the family “we’ll take care of you” agony, she phones a friend she’s lost touch with over the years. Finding out they have a rental on Lopez Island she can use she heads out to get away from it all. Upon arriving at the rental late at night, she is promptly tackled to the ground.

Kirin has no idea why this person, who he now knows is a female, has entered into his rental so late at night without permission. Once he gets a good look at her though, her breaking and entering is the last thing on his mind. Hmmm this could be a good distraction for him. He headed to Lopez Island to get away from a pretty stressful situation and to be alone. But seeing Cat, alone is the last thing he wants right now.

Cat and Kirin figure out there has been a mix-up and both husband and wife lent out the cabin for the same time period. After a snowstorm strands them both, they decide to make the most of it. Attraction aside, they need to be able to get along to share the space. He helps her figure out what she wants to do in her future and encourages her to broaden her thinking and faith in herself. Will she be able to resist his charms?

Great first read from a new to me author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations. It didn’t knock my socks off per say, but it was solidly written and a good introduction for me to the writing style of this author.



View all my reviews

Once Upon a Wedding Anthology

Once Upon a Wedding: A Fiction From the Heart Second-Chances Anthology by Jamie Beck

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cute collection of shorts all wedding themed. Most second chance romance but no less romantic. Only read one or two of these authors previously so found some new favs as well.



View all my reviews

Racing Hearts (Bennett Boys Ranch) by Lauren Landish

Racing Hearts by Lauren Landish

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A Bennett and a Tannen getting together. Not unless fists were flying. That is part of the reason Luke and Shayanne growing closer was going to cause all kinds of sparks, and not the good kind.

Back before it went all kinds of wrong, the Tannen and Bennett families were friends. The Tannen family lost their mom early and Mama Louise stepped in to offer friendship and motherly advice. Then the Bennett family lost their dad and it all pretty much went to hell in a handbasket. Imaginary lines have been drawn in the sand and it doesn’t look like things will change any time soon.

Shayanne is all grown up now and Luke is finally noticing that. When an innocent horseback ride finds them sharing secrets in the woods, neither one expected the connection they now feel. Sneaking around doesn’t feel right, but given their family history, they’re out of other options. Luke never thought he’d feel this way but he can’t get enough of Shayanne.

Shayanne is finding out that her father had more issues that she ever dreamed. Her brother Brody is going to flip a lid when he hears the latest bad news. This could crush all they’ve sacrificed for and rip their family business right out from under them. Shayanne and Luke find more in common than their mutual familial pasts. There is a comfort and need to be with one another every minute they can. They try to fight it at the beginning but quickly realize it’s a losing battle. But will it be enough?

Even though this was book 3 in the series I wasn’t lost or confused about what came before. Though, as with other books I’ve read by this author, I found a lot (in my opinion) of filler material. Lots of pages of dialogue I didn’t feel was necessary because it didn’t move the story along at all. 4 ½ stars though for a book I voluntarily read and reviewed in advance without expectations. The wordy passages probably won’t deter me from picking up another book from the author.




View all my reviews

31 Days of Living Well and Spending Zero

31 Days of Living Well and Spending Zero: Freeze Your Spending. Change Your Life. by Ruth Soukup

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Good reference book full of tips and trick to get spending back on track. I want to try the freeze but will have to work up to it. But I’m taking away valuable tools to help me moving forward.



View all my reviews